Anthurium Veitchii King is a stunning tropical plant that is coveted by plant collectors and enthusiasts around the world for its vibrant flowers and elegant leaves. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about this magnificent plant, from its botanical characteristics and growing requirements to tips for care and propagation.
Overview
The Anthurium Veitchii is a tropical evergreen perennial plant that is native to Central and South American rainforests. This exotic beauty boasts large, vibrant pink spathes that can grow up to 20 inches long atop slender stems. The spathes contrast elegantly against the plant’s thick green heart-shaped leaves that have white vein patterns.
The Anthurium Veitchii is an exceptionally rare variety that was first discovered in the late 19th century by the famed Victorian plant collector John Dominy Veitch. Due to its rarity and exceptional beauty, the Anthurium Veitchii swiftly became a horticultural treasure amongst Victorian and Edwardian gardeners. Today it remains a prized collector’s plant that is still uncommon in cultivation.
Botanical Characteristics
Growth Habit
The Anthurium Veitchii King grows as an epiphyte in its native tropical habitat, using its thick aerial roots to attach itself to trees and absorb moisture and nutrients. As a houseplant, it performs best in a potting mix that provides excellent drainage and aeration.
This exotic anthurium has a lush, bushy growth habit, with each mature plant capable of growing up to 3 feet wide. It grows at a moderate pace, producing new leaves and flowering throughout the year in ideal conditions.
Leaves
One of the most distinctive features of Anthurium Veitchii is its foliage. The leaves are a deep green color with striking white veining against the dark background. They have a substantial heart shape that ends in a point, growing up to 12 inches long and 10 inches wide when mature.
The foliage is arranged alternately along thick branching stems covered in brown aerial roots. The leaves have a leathery texture and feature delicate ruffles along the margins.
Flowers
The Anthurium Veitchii bears magnificent flowers on long, slender stems that emerge from the base of the plant. Each flower spike carries a single flamingo pink spathe that unfurls like a curving hood up to 20 inches long.
The actual flower spike is known as the spadix. It emerges from the spathe as a long tapering column covered in tiny greenish-yellow blossoms. The prominent spathe and spadix can last in perfect condition for up to 6 weeks with proper care.
To understand more about the diversity and characteristics of anthurium species, check out our detailed exploration.
Growing Conditions
To grow successfully and flower well, the Anthurium Veitchii requires very specific warm, humid, and shady conditions similar to that of its tropical homeland. Here is a detailed overview of the key elements this plant needs to thrive as an indoor houseplant.
Light
Anthurium Veitchii thrives best in bright, indirect light indoors. Although it requires good light to grow well, direct sunlight will scorch and damage its foliage.
Place this anthurium near an east or west-facing window where it can receive gentle filtered sunlight. Ensure it has some shade from harsh afternoon sun. Provide supplemental lighting if your home has low indoor light levels.
Temperature
Warm temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F (21°C – 32°C) are vital for Anthurium Veitchii to flourish. Avoid allowing the plants to experience cooler conditions for long periods. Move the anthurium to the warmest location in your home during fall and winter when indoor temperatures drop.
Humidity
Maintaining high humidity around your Anthurium Veitchii is crucial to prevent problems with bacterial leaf spot diseases and blossom blast. The ideal humidity range is 60% to 90%. Set the pot atop a pebble tray filled with water, use a humidifier nearby, or group with other tropical plants to elevate ambient moisture. Mist the plant daily to supplement humidity. Ensure proper air circulation to prevent fungal disease issues.
Water
Anthurium Veitchii prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil. Water thoroughly as the top third of the potting mix becomes dry, taking care not to oversaturate the soil. Allow excess moisture to drain fully from the drainage holes before returning the pot to its decorative container.
These tropical epiphytes are exceptionally sensitive to overwatering, which can quickly lead to root rot. Never allow pots to stand in water.
Soil
Use a high quality, sterile potting mix designed specifically for aroids and epiphytic plants. The soil should contain:
- Coarse Orchid Bark – Provides air pockets for healthy roots
- Perlite – Improves drainage
- Peat Moss – Retains some moisture
- Hardwood Charcoal – Purifies the soil
- Worm Castings – Supplies nutrients
Avoid standard potting soil, which will become too dense and waterlogged for anthurium’s specialized needs. Re-pot into fresh mix annually in spring to refresh the growing medium.
Fertilizer
Feed your Anthurium Veitchii every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce application over winter when plant growth naturally slows.
Too much fertilizer can lead to root burn. Flush the soil monthly by watering thoroughly with clean water to prevent buildup of mineral salts.
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Where to buy Anthurium Veitchii King? Benefits from importing plants from Thailand
- Shipping: Door to door shipping, fast and safe with Dragon Courier
- Biodiversity: Thailand is known for its rich biodiversity, including a wide variety of aroid species. This diversity allows importers to access a broad range of unique and exotic aroid plants.
- Quality and Health of Plants: The suitable climate helps the plants grown here stay healthy and of high quality.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Due to favorable growing conditions and efficient production methods, Thai aroid plants can often be more cost-effective compared to those from other countries.
- Access to Hybrid Varieties: Thai growers are often involved in the development of new hybrid aroid varieties, offering unique plants that may not be available from other sources.
Anthurium species are the most sought after by aroid plant lovers
Propagation
The Anthurium Veitchii King propagates easily via stem cuttings and by separating basal offshoots called pups from the mother plant.
For a deeper understanding of how to create the perfect environment for these plants, read our guide on caring for anthuriums.
Stem Cuttings
Take 5-6 inch stem cuttings in spring using a sterile, sharp knife. Each cutting should have at least 2 leaf nodes and aerial roots emerging from the nodes.
Allow cut surfaces to callous over for 1-2 days then insert into a well-draining propagation mix. Enclose in a transparent bag or propagator case to maintain very high humidity around the cuttings as they root.
New plants will form an independent root system in approximately 6-8 weeks. Gradually acclimate young plants to normal conditions before transplanting.
Division of Offsets
Inspect the base of mature Anthurium Veitchii plants in early spring for the presence of young plantlets emerging from the soil known as pups or offsets.
Carefully separate larger pups using a sterile knife, ensuring some roots are attached to each new plant. Allow divisions to dry briefly before potting up individually. Maintain warm, bright, and humid conditions while newly divided pups become established.
Water sparingly at first. Offsets will grow quickly into mature, blooming specimens under optimal care. Learn more about this process in our comprehensive guide to propagating anthuriums.
Common Issues
When grown as houseplants, Anthurium Veitchii can be susceptible to a few insect pests and diseases, most commonly:
Insect Pests
- Mealybugs
- Scale
- Aphids
Check plants regularly for early signs of infestation such as honeydew secretions or white cottony deposits. Remove pests immediately by hand or use horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays as needed.
Diseases
- Bacterial Blight
- Blossom Blast
- Root Rot
Prevent disease problems by providing adequate air circulation, proper watering technique, ideal humidity levels, and well-balanced feedings for your plant. Never overwater anthuriums or allow plants to stand in water.
Displaying Anthurium Veitchii Plants
The gorgeous flowers and dramatic foliage of the Anthurium Veitchii King make this rare tropical a spectacular display plant. Here are some tips for showing it off to best effect in your home:
Choosing Containers
Select a decorative planter that is wider than the plant, providing good stability. Shallow containers are ideal to prevent overwatering. Neutral colors like white ceramic help the vibrant pink spathes stand out beautifully.
Or, use woven baskets lined with moss to evoke the plant’s natural epiphytic habits. Carefully conceal the plastic growers pot inside to facilitate watering.
Always ensure containers have ample drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Raise moisture-loving anthuriums above the drainage tray on pot feet.
Using in Arrangements
The long-lasting waxy spathes make perfect floral arrangements paired with other tropical foliage. Display cut flowers in a tall glass vase or floated in a low bowl.
Cut spathes once fully opened just as their color reaches its peak saturation. Recut the stems and change the water every 2-3 days to prolong vase life.
Design Impact
Make a dramatic statement by grouping multiple Anthurium Veitchii plants atop a console table or bookshelf. The sheer size of the leaves and flower spathes has an impactful visual presence.
Or spotlight this beauty as a stand-alone specimen behind sofas or beds. The lush leaves unfurling in a sea of green coupled with vibrant pink accents creates a living work of art.
Conclusion
With its sublime flowers, flamingo-colored spathes, exotic foliage, and collector’s cachet, the Anthurium Veitchii King is one of the most coveted indoor plants in the world. While a bit temperamental compared to beginner’s plants, this rare tropical can thrive for years under the care of an attentive grower. The visually arresting blossoms and sculptural leaves bring jaw-dropping beauty unmatched by common varieties. Anthurium Veitchii is sure to be the focal point of any plant lover’s collection.
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